I have to thank Julie over at One Book More for introducing me to this series. You can visit her blog to read her thoughts. There are still two more books I need to read, but I will get to them shortly. I enjoyed this novella and the first two full length books in this series. They are all available on Kindle Unlimited if you have that service.

Saving Vengeance: A Prequel (The Forest Tales #0.5) by Cece Louise

Published October 21st 2021 by Jabberwocky Tales

3.5 Stars:

I actually read Desperate Forest before Saving Vengeance. I do recommend that you read this one first as it is the story of how and why Laurel leaves her home to wander the Eternity Forest. In this novella, we meet Gavin, a Tover knight in the service of King Abrax. Torn between his duty and his morals, Gavin spares Laurel’s life after he is ordered to kill her. Devastated over the murder of her sister, Laurel swears to avenge her death and kill King Abrax.

Although this is a novella, I found the story was a great introduction to the series, or if you have already read Desperate Forest, it fills you in on how two of the main characters met. The story is told from both Laurel and Gavin’s points of view, so both characters are well developed. I liked hearing their backstories as it answered some questions I had. This was an enjoyable and quick read.

Desperate Forest (The Forest Tales #1) by Cece Louise

Published July 2nd 2019 by Jabberwocky Tales

4 Stars: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Princess Roselynn’s father has died and because of her age, her Uncle Abrax is now the king of Tover until she is of age. When she overhears her father and head knight discussing how to kill her, she realizes that she needs to flee to the kingdom of Marcsnovia, and her fiancé, Prince Darius for safely. She is wandering through the Eternity Forest when she almost dies after being bit by a poisonous creature and ends up joining a party that is trying to get to the neighboring kingdom of Galesmore. Jay and Gavin are leading the group and keeping them all safe. Although Jay looks familiar to her, she is not sure why. As she realizes that the only way to stay safe is to travel with this group, she also learns everyone has a story and often secrets as well. The plan is that once the group reaches Galesmore, Gavin will take Roselynn to Marcsnovia.

Desperate Forest is a relatively quick, character based story. I really liked the character of Jay. I wanted to know what his secret was, and it is revealed when the time was right. There was an instant attraction between Jay and Roselynn and I enjoyed their banter as well as seeing their relationship change as the story progressed. Roselynn was a realistic character. There were times I wanted to smack her as she wouldn’t listen to anyone, yet she is strong, resilient and tenacious. She was raised a princess, so I understand some of her attitude. I liked watching her change and trust others. All the secondary characters have stories as well, but they are not as developed. I would have liked the book to be a bit longer with more development of the characters and setting. Although all these various kingdoms are mentioned, I really knew nothing about them. I did like the fact that there is a map at the beginning of the book so I could see where all these activities occurred. This is an adventure, a romance, and story of friendship, family and the quest for power. I enjoyed this story for a fun escape read one afternoon and evening.

The Jabberwocky Princess (The Forest Tales #2) by Cece Louise

Published March 10th 2020 by Jabberwocky Tales

4.5 Stars:

The Jabberwocky Princess is the second full length story in The Forest Tales series. Prince Ander is not going to inherit his father’s kingdom of Galesworth as he is the fifth in line. In order to gain an alliance with the kingdom of Fernshire, his father has been trying to get Ander to marry Princess Opal. So far he is having no success, but things are about to change. When a monster/beast is killing people and livestock in Fernshire, Opal’s father offers her hand in marriage to whoever can slay the beast. Ander is ready to take the challenge. He calls all his knights together to see who would volunteer to go with him, knowing they might not return. Meanwhile we also meet Larkin, a young knight and his friend, Kainda, a kitchen maid. Kainda’s father was a famous monster hunter who died on his last hunt. Rumour has it, he went crazy and killed all the knights that were with him and Kainda hears the whispers and comments about her dad. She wants to go on the hunt and Ander agrees, so both she and Larkin join the party. Kainda has a secret weapon left to her by her father, if she can find out how to use it.

I have to say I enjoyed this book a bit more than the last one. I found the characters more developed, and the story had more to it. There were really four main characters in this one: Kainda, Larkin, Prince Ander and Princess Opal. They all have a dream or desire that may or may not change as the story progresses. The story is told by Kainda and Opal in alternating chapters. They are both women who want to direct their own lives, but are hindered by the expectations of women and the fact that men make the decisions. I enjoyed Kainda’s chapters more, because that was where the action was and she is a badass, who is not afraid to go after that beast. Opal DOES NOT want to marry Ander or anyone unless she loves them, but must do as her father says. Kainda wants to become a monster hunter like her father, but the reputation of him being crazy, has rubbed off on Kainda, as well as being a woman and it being to dangerous for a female has her back against the wall. Do they find the Jabberwocky? Of course, but can they kill it. Ander and Kainda make a great team. She is smart and figures things out, he sticks up for her and lets her join in when Opal’s father forbids it. I loved the addition of the the Jabberwocky poem from C.S. Lewis as part of the plot. Overall, this is a great story about women standing up for themselves, men supporting them, and knowing what you want. There is adventure, romance, mystery all with a fantasy leaning. I definitely recommend this one.